California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed four bills aimed at toughening penalties for repeat DUI offenders and extending driver’s license revocations. The package includes Senate Bill 907, known as Braun’s Law, named for 18-year-old Braun Levi, who died after being struck by a suspected repeat drunken driver in Manhattan Beach in 2025.
Authored by state Sen. Bob Archuleta, Braun’s Law requires courts to warn defendants whose DUI charges are reduced to lesser offenses that a future DUI causing death could lead to more serious charges, including murder. The law is intended to make clear the legal consequences of driving under the influence again after a plea deal or reduced charge.
The other bills signed — AB 1546, AB 1685 and AB 1687 — increase criminal penalties for repeat DUI offenders, raise the DMV violation point count for vehicular manslaughter cases from two to three, and extend license revocation periods. Under the new rules, repeat offenders with four or more DUI convictions within 10 years can face license revocation for up to six years, along with longer ignition interlock requirements.
Jennifer Levi, Braun Levi’s mother, said the push for the legislation began after prosecutors recognized they lacked strong enough legal tools to punish drunk drivers. She said signing the bills was an important first step toward preventing other families from suffering a similar tragedy.
Source:CBS LA
